Happy Thanksgiving 2013 from IMSA&IndyCar

To our volunteer Marshals and Course Observers:

With the 2013 racing season now behind us, it comes time to pause and express our appreciation to our volunteers, corner marshals and course observers everywhere. We also congratulate you for seeing all of our series through another long, successful and safe season.

From the “Florida Swing” events in March, to the season closers in Atlanta and Fontana, the nine series represented by IMSA and IndyCar saw plenty of changes; changes in position on track of course, but also changes in participating venues and in two cases, a change in ownership of the series themselves.  Next season, Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series combine to form the Tudor United SportsCar Championship, while the Mazda Road to Indy consolidates all three of its “rungs” under one owner, Andersen Promotions.

The powers and personalities who brought forth these changes have worked long and hard throughout 2013 to do so - and we recognize that our volunteers have also worked long and hard toward making this racing season safe, fair and enjoyable for all our competitors, officials and fans.

The terms “endurance” and “commitment” come to mind while thinking of the challenges you all faced during the events.  Extremes of heat and cold, wet and dry, day and night. Grueling schedules, language barriers, lightning quick turn-arounds, challenging communications and varying flag rules. It’s all in a weekend’s work for most of you, yet you pull it off consistently, all while dealing with a decreasing overall number of marshals nationwide.

We are proud to have each of you on our team and in our racing family. We are thankful that you help to keep our racing safe and that you keep yourselves safe at the same time, to which the serious incidents at VIR and Houston – one day apart – will attest.

From all of us in Daytona, Indianapolis and across North America to wherever you may be spending your holiday season, please accept our sincere, heartfelt thanks to you and your loved ones for your enthusiasm and support.  Please join us again in 2014!

With warmest regards,

Beaux Barfield, IZOD IndyCar Series | Terry Dale, IMSA Prototype Lights | Randy Hembrey, IMSA GT3 Cup & GT3 Cup Canada, Lamborghini Super Trofeo | Vince Kremer, Indy Lights Series | Bill Van de Sandt, Pro Mazda Championship & USF2000 | Paul Walter, Tudor United SportsCar Championship

Thank You, 2012!

A Message of thanks from the Race Directors of IMSA, IndyCar & the Mazda Road to Indy

To all our Volunteers, Corner Marshals and Course Observers:

We pause at this time of the year to reflect on the past season, how thankful we are to be racers, and how very much we appreciate your continued support.

With our seasons concluded, it is clear that both of our sanctioning bodies underwent some significant changes in 2012:

IndyCar bolstered its on-track product with a new chassis, multiple engine manufacturers, a return to previous venues - and of course, a new race director. Eight winners emerged from five teams, an American series champion was crowned in the waning moments of the season and Lights champ Tristan Vautier ascended another rung from his ’11 Star Mazda Championship.

The American Le Mans Series experienced another great season of multi-class Prototype and GT racing and now looks forward to a 2014 merger with GRAND-AM Road Racing to create the long sought after series that will blend the best assets of each organization.  The IMSA development program expanded its Canadian GT Series and crowned two young stars of the future (please remember the names Tristan Nunez and Sean Johnston!)

And of course, at every turn, 2012 yielded the usual excitement, intrigue, drama and uncertainty. Not different from life itself, and perhaps why we are all here. If outcomes were assured, it wouldn’t be racing.

What is very certain to us is the commitment, dedication and bravery you demonstrate every step of the way, no matter the task, time or place.  We appreciate the sacrifices you have all made in your personal lives to make room for our events. We applaud your steadfastness as you endure the challenges created by the elements, the weekend schedules and the competition itself. We value your ideas and suggestions on ways to make Marshaling and service to our competitors safer and more efficient.

Please also consider this a standing invitation to join us again in 2013, from Sebring to Atlanta and from St. Pete to Fontana, continuing your roles as an integral part of the success of each one of our series. We thank you for spreading the word about what we do and how much we love it - pass it along and bring a friend!

From everyone in IMSA and IndyCar Race Control, our paddocks and our entire organizations, we wish you and your loved ones the safest and happiest of holiday seasons.

With regards,

Beaux Barfield, IZOD IndyCar Series | Terry Dale, IMSA Prototype Lights & GT3 Canada | Randy Hembrey, IMSA GT3 Cup | Vince Kremer, Indy Lights Series | Bill Van de Sandt, Star Mazda Championship | Paul Walter, American Le Mans Series & USF2000

IndyCar/IMSA Thanksgiving Messages

To all of our family of Marshals, Support Teams and Volunteers:

IMSA, and the various series that it sanctions and operates, has completed yet another successful season.

Measuring success is a complicated process. From a motorsports business perspective, "success" could be determined by measuring how many sponsors connected their businesses financially to the sport and if they yielded results. Also, to a large degree, how many fans, enthusiasts and spectators made the decision to follow the exploits and excitement of the on-track product - either in person or through one of the many media outlets of TV, internet, print or by some other means. Were they entertained by what they saw and experienced? Enough to want to see more in the 2012 season? And to tell their families, friends and co-workers?

The Race Operations Team at IMSA is made up of both full and part time members who all share a passion for motorsport. We know that we share this passion with similar enthusiasts across North America at the tracks where we are priviledged to race. Without question, the experiences we have at those venues are often challenging but always rewarding. That reward and satisfaction comes from working with, if only for a few short days, some of the best and most committed people in the world. The local flaggers, tower and track staff, safety teams, paddock and pit lane officials, registration and on and on. There are just so many who contribute to IMSA's "success" that we truly could not do what we do without them.

At this special time of the year, the IMSA Race Directors and Race Control Operations Team Members want to say a very special 'Thank You' to all of you dedicated people who work so hard to make our events as successful as they are. We enjoy sharing the stories and, even more, appreciate the talent and expertise that we so very much count on.

Please - Have a very happy Thanksgiving and Holiday Season with your families and friends! Have a safe winter and we all very much look forward to seeing and working with you in the coming 2012 Season!

Beaux Barfield

Race Director - American Le Mans Series and IMSA GT3 Series

Terry Dale

Race Director - Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Championship

FIA International Steward - ALMS

Paul Walter

IMSA Clerk of the Course

...and all in IMSA Race Operations

# # # # #

Dear Friends:

The seasons come, the seasons go. By anyone's standard, 2011 had its share of emotional and sometimes difficult moments for IndyCar. We experienced some thrilling highs, like the exciting finish of this year's 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500, and also the devastating low of the loss of our Indy 500 winner and 2005 Series Champion Dan Wheldon in Las Vegas.

But what isn't difficult is being thankful - especially at this time of year - for our faithful and steadfast groups of Marshals, Observers, Track Support Personnel and volunteers, who keep IndyCar and its three support series running along, week in and week out, no matter the track, conditions or challenges.

For 2012, IndyCar will continue to move forward in the areas of competition, safety and innovation. The new Dallara DW12, initially test-driven by Dan, enters its final stages of development with all three engine manufacturers and will debut at the season opener in St. Petersburg.

We will

welcome several new teams to the IZOD IndyCar Series next season. The Mazda 'Road to Indy' will continue to develop new driving talent via the Indy Lights, Star Mazda and USF2000 Championships. And we will further our commitment to explore ways to provide increased safety for our competitors and exciting racing for our fans.

Such is the view of the "big picture" for IndyCar. But when we look closer, we see this picture is made up of thousands of individual efforts. We stand

grateful and encouraged by your commitment, skill and perseverance. The downpour in Sao Paulo, our oval rain delays, the bitter wet cold of Edmonton, and the trying long days of Baltimore are just a few of the challenges our volunteers and crews faced this year. Yet each was considered a success in no small part due to the dedication of all of you, no matter the task.

We also welcome and appreciate the positive attitude with which you carry out your roles at our events. Whether it be aiding a competitor, assisting our officials or answering questions from fans, we consider you all to be very important features of the "face" of IndyCar.

Thank you again so much for the

sacrifices you and your families make whenever you offer your time, talents and support to participate in our events. You have our respect and appreciation.

From our entire IndyCar family, we extend warm holiday wishes to you and all of your families for a safe, happy and peaceful holiday season, along with our sincerest hopes to see all of you again in 2012!

All the best,

Brian Barnhart, IZOD IndyCar Series Race Director

Tony Cotman, Firestone Indy Lights Championship Race Director

Bill Van de Sandt, Star Mazda

Championship Race Director

Paul Walter, USF2000

Championship Race Director

...and all of IndyCar Race Control

LAND HO!

May I have your attention please...

I can finally say I will be joining the Race Control staff of the IZOD IndyCar & Firestone Indy Lights Series as Operations Communicator, talking to the teams, participants, pit lane officials and pace car. My two year "exile" from motorsports officiating is over.

For those of you who followed this blog who remember one of the final posts regarding Sir Walter Raleigh's trip to the new world, I now know exactly what he meant and how he must have felt. Land Ho!

Although I will no longer be on the Land Line for the series, I will be attending all the Marshals' meetings and overseeing all the Marshals' activities in regard to the road and street courses. It will become a growing work in progress as the season goes along. One of my marching orders is to continue to grow the relationship between IndyCar Race Control and the volunteer F&C Marshal corps nationwide.

So I will be off to the Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama the third week of February for the open test session, and then on to Sao Paulo, St. Pete, Barber, dear ol' Long Beach and so on. I'm not sure what my limitation may be yet with this blog, but it's shaping up to be an interesting year!

Thanks and God Bless! I wonder if the teams will like to hear Mark Knopfler between sessions?

JHS

EPIBLOGUE

Just like back in the days of “Quinn Martin” Productions on television
shows like “The FBI” and Twelve O’clock High”, after all was done there
was a brief “epilogue” after the commercial at the end of the show.
It’s been a while, but I finally have time for mine. That it took this long
is a clear indication of how hard I am peddling now to keep up.

When Champ Car expired, it took a decent percentage of income away,
and I always wondered what life might be like without it. I finally got to
experience that, and it hasn’t been all bad nor all good, just different.
As I mentioned to several who asked as the CCWS was folding up,
'whatever changes come into my life because of this, they were
necessary’. I am now an artist again for the foreseeable future and
a new focus on those efforts has seen me busier than I’ve ever been
on the drawing board. I have been almost non-stop since Mexico City
last year, and at this writing there are still three commissions (from the
activities at the Long Beach race) still left to execute before its off
toward the banquet pieces.

The Long Beach weekend was just like a dream. The CCWS closing
was announced in February and we got the call a few days later that
the officials would be rounded up just one more time to make it happen,
which I am truly thankful for. So we had all resigned ourselves to the
series being done. The weekend itself seemed like a dream where it
was all back together again. But on Monday morning we all woke from
the dream to remember it was indeed finished.

I want to thank the good people of Cal Club and all the other Marshals
from around the country and around the globe for putting up with the
odd circumstances. All on track rules were Champ Car but the race
was run for IndyCar points. They all did their usual great jobs, quick was
the word and sharp was the action! I wish you ALL could have been there.
At a pre-event breakfast, I was presented with a photomontage made by
Gail Fetterman outlining my career as a Marshal, Starter and Clerk that
was very welcome and touching to see.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the very last meeting of the
Champ Car Inner Circle Club on Saturday evening and organizers Bill
and Linda Wood went out of their way to invite as many special guests
as they could to stop by and say a few words. Among the show-ups
were Dale Coyne, Paul Tracy, Jimmy Vasser, Bruno Junquiera, Jeremy
Shaw, Tommy Kendall (who played Tracy’s straight man,) Bridgestone’s
Joe Barbieri, Chris Kneifel (who limited his F-bombs to only two,) JD
Wilbur, Race Control’s Brian Hughes and the inimitable and ever-stylish
Nelson Philippe. We were all thankful to show the fans how we felt and
thankful more for the faith they showed us in the last five seasons.
When asked my opinions about the future, I reminded everyone that
the last great shot of growth and innovation in this series was brought
about by Mr. Cotman. He’s got a million and one ideas. When formed, the IRL had to be different by its very nature to offer something different from CART.

Now with the demise of Champ Car, there is no reason at all for
the new IndyCar series to be different anymore. They are the only
open wheel series in town!! I’m pretty confident they are looking at
more road and street events in the near future, and if they are smart
it will surely be onward and upward as far as our modern-day
economy (which is a far cry from the salad days of CART) will
allow it.

Am I eager to be a part of it? Damn-betcha! Remember I grew up in
Indiana! But the CCWS closure came so late that all plans for 2008
were firmly entrenched. As far as myself, I’m more than willing to
get back into a series in whatever capacity I can contribute. Tony
Cotman works for IndyCar and Beaux Barfield works for the ALMS,
and they both know what I can do. And you all too for that matter…
The Atlantic Series now continues under the IMSA sanction but
economy dictates meant no room for a traveling comm on the
roster which is no great surprise.

The Long Beach race itself went off well. Our two series owners finished
first and second. But the biggest wrinkle of the weekend came out of
our old nemesis, oval track weather. Tony Cotman, now with IndyCar
was given the task of Race Director for the weekend while the rest of
their crew were off at the Motegi event in Japan (I liked the place but
the food was too damned squishy.) Since the Japan race was on
Saturday afternoon there, (which was Friday nite in Long Beach) Tony
invited Messrs. Tony George and Brian Barnhart to fly to Long Beach
after the race in Japan to sit in on our race control activities to see
what we could do. But Saturday’s race in
Japan was rained out and was held Sunday, not leaving enough time
for the two to make it over. We found out just before the race started
that they weren’t coming, and it did take some wind out of the day.

As long as things keep happening on the race track, I’ll keep watching,
and I should have subjects to paint. I’ve left an awful lot of friends out
there. We will see what 2009 holds, but the result is more focus,
attention, and energy directed at my art and that’s been both a boon
and a blessing so far in 2008. I’ve often wondered if I could survive on
just the art and so far that’s a yes. I see my wife more often, and
spend more time at home. After 18 seasons on the road, that part
of it is extremely welcome. Love and comfort can be found wherever
you look.

I just updated my website yesterday, and the latest offering is the
Mexico City finish from last year, which was the last race for the
CCWS that counted toward our series. I don’t get to paint myself
too often anymore since then starters stand days, but I’m very
happy with it. Please have a look when you have a chance
at www.jimswintal.com !

Edmonton is coming up this weekend, and a good number of you
will be out there all three days, continuing to carry the torch forward.
I will miss being there for sure, and I’ll be watching at home with
timing and scoring info pouring into my laptop, waiting for the next
big deal. I shall join you again soon in one way or another.

Thanks for reading.

And as I often said over the landline on many exciting Sunday
afternoons: please work together, take care of each other out there, do
your best, don't forget to enjoy yourselves and God bless you all.

Over and out.

JHS

MORE FROM BOB PIRTLE

Today we received this email from the man himself:

I am doing very well. I can walk a couple of blocks without assistance. I do not have any problems with motor skills. I can type and do almost everything that I could before the incident. It was a very scary time, but I am recovering well ahead of schedule. Thanks for your concern. Jim can communicate my condition. I would be delighted to hear from any of my old friends in racing!

Blessings,

Bob

Apparently, Bob was felled by the stroke just a few days after Long Beach, but only spent a brief time in hospital. You can email him at bob@cliffordroberts.com or write to:

404 Plover Court
Lincoln, Ca. 95648

Please keep him and his wife Vee in your thoughts! Anyone who had ever been to one of our Race Day briefings knows the care he put into our well being with his benedictions.




Speaking of LB, at some point I will get around to putting some thoughts down, as it was quite and experience to draw a sheet over what was once such a big part of our lives. The strange thing is that since the collapse (it wasn't a merger) I have NEVER had so much artwork to do! Between now and late July I have SEVEN full sized pieces to create! Just not enough hours in the day right now to get to everything. I promise it will be a thoughtful read...

Thanks

JHS

RALEIGH

Thanks all of you who have written emails to me to ask how I am doing. I have not gotten back to all of them yet, but thanks just the same.

Last night, Diane and I sat down to watch the DVD of "Elizabeth - The Golden Age." In it, Queen Elizabeth listens intently to Sir Walter Raleigh describe what it feels like to sail across an ocean without knowing what's on the other side.

Raleigh:

"Can you imagine? Can you feel? What it is to cross an ocean?
For weeks you see nothing but the horizon. All round you.
Perfect, and empty. Your ship is small - tiny - a speck in such
immensity.  

"You live with fear. In the grip of fear - fear of storms, fear
of sickness, fear of the immensity. What if you never escape?
How can you escape? There's nowhere to go!

"So you must drive your fear down... deep into your belly...
and study your charts, and watch your compass, and pray
for a fair wind and - hope. 

"Pure, naked, fragile hope.

"When all your senses scream at you, 'Lost!'                      

"...Lost!"

"Imagine it. Day after day, staring west, the rising sun on
your back,the setting sun in your eyes, hoping...
hoping...  

"At first, it's no more than a haze on the horizon, the
ghost of a haze, the pure line corrupted. But clouds
do that, and storms. So you watch. You watch.

"Then it's a smudge. a shadow on the far water. For a day,
for another day, the stain slowly spreads along the horizon,
and takes form - until on the third day you let yourself believe.
You dare to whisper the word - 

"Land."

"Land. Life. Resurrection. The true adventure. Coming out of the
vast unknown, out of the immensity, into safe harbour at last.

"That - THAT - is the New World."

THE NEW WORLD ORDER

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end.” – Closing Time by Semisonic

Hello Everyone:

As you all should certainly know by now, Champ Car has ceased operations as of Friday and our teams will be “amalgamated” into the Indy Racing League. Overall and in the big picture, this is a very good thing, and I have tried hard during the whole waiting process to remember that.

Because of the generosity and business sense of the IRL, who has offered assistance to our Champ Car teams, as many as 26 cars may answer the bell for the opener at Homestead.

As for what’s next, I could indulge in speculation – but I’ll leave that to those who get paid for such things. I specifically remained quiet during this three week period, as I did not want any of the rumours floating around to come from me and the way I might have been perceiving things as they progressed. For details you should check the websites of the Indianapolis Star, the IRL and Speed TV.

What I’ll address here is what I know for sure. There will be a press conference on Wednesday where the IRL “regulars” will be conducting their Spring testing. I expect that we will get more details on the 2008 schedule at that time.

NEXT STOP LONG BEACH

There will be a Long Beach Grand Prix that bears some resemblance to the LBGP we all were planning on before this came down. It will be the 25th running of the event with Champ Car chassis, but will be sanctioned by the IRL. I will be in my usual spot in race control and Tony Cotman will run race control for the weekend. A skeleton crew of Champ Car World Series officials will run the proceedings on the ground. The Champ Car Medical unit will be there. At least 17 Panoz DP01s will be on the starting grid for what is now the “traditional” standing start.

There are a handful of Champ Car employees left in the office, mostly from the operations department. I had a long conversation on Friday with Scot Elkins, our Technical Director, who along with Tony Cotman, is organizing the efforts for Long Beach.

An announcement will be coming shortly as well about the Atlantic series, which will continue. They will test in Laguna Seca during the second week of March as scheduled and they will open their schedule at Long Beach. They will run as many events as they can that remain on their schedule and also their two stand-alone events in Trois-Rivieres and Salt Lake City.

Beyond that, there’s very little that I know for sure. I’m not speculating on my involvement beyond Long Beach as it has not been discussed.

This “New World Order,” as one scribe has titled it, has my full support and attention, and I hope yours too. I will be watching the first two events at Homestead and St. Pete with thankfulness and renewed vigor. I am spending a lot of thought in imagining the potentials that a 26 car field running a 20-ish number of road and oval races, including the Indianapolis 500, can provide!

On behalf of the entire Champ Car family I want to thank and congratulate all of you that have helped us put on any of our events since 1979. There are a countless number of you and we are grateful for all the blood, sweat and tears you have shed and the sacrifices you have made to uphold your committment to this series.

Hope to see as many of you as possible in Long Beach.

Let’s hit it!

JHS

INDY STAR ARTICLE

This in today from the Indianapolis Star. The previous blog entry in this space was replaced by this as it's more up to date. Let the last line of the story be our watchword on this.

Senior Indy Racing League officials, including series founder and chairman Tony George, are scheduled to fly to Japan on Saturday to resolve what could be a key component to a reconciliation of the divided open-wheel series.George is hoping to encourage officials at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit to move the April 19 race to another weekend in order to include the Long Beach (Calif.) Grand Prix in the IRL's 2008 schedule.

The Long Beach race, which has been held annually by the Champ Car World Series since 1984, has a contract with the city to stage a race that weekend.If Motegi officials agree to move their race, the dominoes to a reconciliation could fall quickly. IRL officials are in discussions with other tracks on its schedule about adjusting their dates to accommodate a handful of Champ Car events.

Both sanctioning bodies are based in Indianapolis, but the IRL would be the leader of a unified series.

But George, who will be accompanied on the Japan trip by IRL presidents Terry Angstadt and Brian Barnhart, said today that he doesn't want to get too optimistic that a deal could be reached.
"Because it seems that every time we've been close, some new obstacle seems to get in the way," he said.

Champ Car co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven stressed that no offer has been made from either series and, therefore, no deal has been agreed to, as has been reported on the Internet.

"I sent Tony a text (message) last night to find out what is going on," he said.

George said he would like to accommodate the Champ Car events that make sense, both from a calendar and a financial standpoint. But he compared this situation to discussions that occurred in 2002 when the assets of Champ Car's parent company (CART) went to bankruptcy court."That was in January, and it was too late in the year to make all these (schedule) changes," he said. "You just can't go changing all the dates around when you have contracts."
International Speedway Corp., which owns several tracks that host races on the IRL's schedule, recently refused a request to move the April 27 race at Kansas Speedway in order for the Japan race to take that date.

The latest round of talks began last fall when Champ Car officials met with George about making the switch to the IRL. George offered to assist Champ Car's teams in acquiring cars and engines if they could prove viability to operate them.

Kalkhoven wants everyone not involved in the discussions to get out of the way.

"Once again, as has happened previously in the past four years, somebody has leaked a story to the press, and the press has turned it into a tornado," he said. "Now it has everyone running around in a circle. It's almost malicious, and it disappoints and infuriates me.

"We were very close to a deal a couple of years ago and everything got leaked. Then instead of the key people working it out, everybody gets involved in the discussion.

"If people are trying to help unification, silence is the best thing."


Indy Star

BUCKING THE ODDS

A Nicely done assessment of where we stand...


MIKE HARRIS
Associated Press
February 6, 2008 at 12:12 PM EST

Paul Tracy smiled as he looked up and down the surprisingly busy pit road during last week's Champ Car World Series preseason test at Sebring International Raceway.

"Looks pretty good, doesn't it?" the series' elder statesman said. "We're already ahead of where we were last year."

Fourteen car-and-driver combinations were on hand for the first test of the season and optimism filled the hot, heavy Florida air.

Against all odds, Champ Car is getting ready for another far-flung season as an American-based series visiting Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia.

Sponsorship dollars remain in short supply, the series owners continue to cut the budget for TV and marketing, and none of the drivers — except perhaps the 39-year-old Tracy, causes a stir in America's national consciousness.

Almost anyone with knowledge of the situation will quickly volunteer the belief that the only way to save Champ Car would be for the circuit formally known as CART to merge with or sell out to its open-wheel rival, the Indy Racing League and its IndyCar Series.

Numerous negotiations between the two entities over the years have all broken down, mostly over who would control the merged series.

IndyCar has its own troubles — particularly losing stars such as Dario Franchitti and Sam Hornish Jr. to NASCAR. But it also has the popular Indianapolis 500 as part of its schedule — a fact not lost on sponsors and drivers.

But don't tell Champ Car president Steve Johnson it's time for the series to fade away quietly.
"We're sitting in a better position now than we were a year ago," Johnson said during the Sebring test. "Overall, I'm optimistic with the future.

"Last year here we might have had eight or 10 cars and not a (sponsor) decal on any of them," Johnson added. "This year, we have cars and more sponsors and there are a lot of good things happening that I can't talk about yet."

The 14-race Champ Car schedule begins April 20 in Long Beach, Calif., and Johnson said he expects to have at least 17 cars in the lineup.

The driver lineup is expected to include Tracy, a Canadian, 19-year-old American Graham Rahal, the son of longtime racing star Bobby Rahal, and a United Nations of returning stars such as Will Power of Australia, Justin Wilson of England, Robert Doornbos of The Netherlands, Bruno Junqueira of Brazil, Oriol Servia of Spain and Simon Pagenaud of France.

"Look at our driver lineup," Johnson said. "Up and down the paddock, it's the strongest they've seen in a long time."

Gone, though, is Sebastien Bourdais, the Frenchman who dominated the series by winning the last four championships before choosing to take his shot at Formula One in 2008.
But Johnson even found hope in that big loss.

"Everybody out there wants Sebastien's championship," he said. "It's a different intensity out there. You can see it in their eyes."

Even Tracy, whose title came in 2003, Bourdais' rookie season, is hoping he can be a factor in the championship after a disappointing 2007.

Tracy, who drives for Gerald Forsythe, was unhappy last year, complaining openly that he wasn't being given the tools to win.

All that changed the day after Christmas when he met with Forsythe and other team officials and a new plan of action was set out, including replacing all of the team's engineers and most of its mechanics.

"For us, right now, it's a big learning experience," Tracy said. "I'm pretty happy with what we've done over the winter. They've hired the best people they could find out there and we're all on the same page now."

As for the future of the series, Tracy has been through all the ups and down since making his CART debut in 1991, and he prefers to ignore all the rumors about the future and concentrate on the present.

"Everybody's talking about merger, no merger," he said. "I don't know what's going to happen. All I'm concentrating on is this. ... Just look around at all these cars for this first test. I'm looking forward to this year."

AND THE ATLANTICS

The Champ Car Atlantic Championship kicked off its 35th season with two days of testing at Sebring. Here are the happy combined totals:

(pos., driver name, team, best lap time, mph, total laps):

1. James Hinchcliffe, #3 Forsythe Championship Racing, 57.366 sec., 104.738 mph, 151 laps.
2. David Garza, #7 Forsythe Championship Racing, 57.413 sec., 104.652 mph, 201 laps.
3. Jonathan Bomarito, #6 Sierra Sierra Enterprises, 57.542 sec., 104.418 mph, 196 laps.
4. J.R. Hildebrand, #17 Genoa Racing, 57.712 sec., 104.110 mph, 204 laps.
5. Markus Niemela (R), #8 Brooks Associates Racing, 57.762 sec., 104.020 mph, 207 laps.
6. Simona De Silvestro, #34 Newman Wachs Racing, 57.948 sec., 103.686 mph, 219 laps.
7. Jonathan Summerton (R), #36X Newman Wachs Racing, 57.971 sec., 103.645 mph, 90 laps.
8. Kevin Lacroix, #25 Walker Racing, 58.004 sec., 103.586 mph, 255 laps.
9. Daniel Morad (R), #70 Eurointernational, 58.013 sec., 103.570 mph, 228 mph.
10. Sebastien Chardonnet (R), #18 Conquest Racing, 58.062 sec., 103.482 mph, 165 laps.
11. Carl Skerlong, #28 Pacific Coast Motorsports, 58.116 sec., 103.386 mph, 179 laps.
12. Alan Sciuto, #26 Mathiasen Motorsports, 58.167 sec., 103.296 mph, 217 laps.
13. Dane Cameron (R), #9 Sierra Sierra Enterprises, 58.273 sec., 103.108 mph, 231 laps.
14. Greg Mansell (R), #5 Walker Racing, 58.303 sec., 103.055 mph, 219 laps.
15. Juho Annala (R), #21 Conquest Racing, 58.446 sec., 102.803 mph, 193 laps.
16. Mike Forest, #32 PR1 Motorsports, 58.540 sec., 102.638 mph, 242 laps.
17. Adrian Herberts, #45 Paladin Motorsports, 58.594 sec., 102.543 mph, 228 laps.
18. Frankie Muniz,#29 Pacific Coast Motorsports, 58.711 sec., 102.339 mph, 215 laps.
19. Filip Salaquarda (R), #10 Brooks Associates Racing, 58.714 sec., 102.333 mph, 144 laps.
20. John Edwards, #36 Newman Wachs Racing, 58.787 sec., 102.206 mph, 107 laps.
21. Leo Mansell (R), #15 Walker Racing, 58.881 sec., 102.043 mph, 204 laps.
22. Tim Macrow (R), #2X Jensen MotorSport, 58.924 sec., 101.969 mph, 102 laps.
23. Larry Connor (R), #27 Genoa Racing, 59.042 sec., 101.765 mph, 173 laps.
24. Brett Van Blankers (R), #13 Jensen MotorSport, 59.047 sec., 101.756 mph, 172 laps.
25. Imran Husain, #37 Genoa Racing, 1:00.800, 98.790 mph, 104 laps.

DIDN'T I TELL YOU LAST TIME?

Here are the final aggregate times from the three days down in Sebring. Franck Perera of Conquest Racing comes out on top!

Pos Car Driver Hometown Team Best Time

1 24 Franck Perera (R) Montpellier, France Conquest Racing 49.8062
2 Graham Rahal Hilliard, Ohio Newman Haas Lanigan Racing 49.950
3 21 Alex Tagliani Las Vegas, Nevada PKV Racing 50.173
4 22 Oriol Servia Miami, Florida PKV Racing 50.178
5 1 Justin Wilson Denver, Colorado Newman Haas Lanigan Racing 50.207
6 7 Franck Montagny (R) Grand Vaux, Switzerland Forsythe Pettit Racing 50.209
7 19 Bruno Junqueira Miami, Florida Dale Coyne Racing 50.507
8 29 Alex Figge Denver, Colorado Pacific Coast Motorsports 50.521
9 34 Simon Pagenaud Indianapolis, Indiana Conquest Racing 50.702
10 8 Enrique Bernoldi (R) Curitiba, Brazil Rocketsports Racing 50.714
11 3 Paul Tracy Las Vegas, Nevada Forsythe Pettit Racing 50.732
12 28 David Martinez (R) Monterrey, Mexico Pacific Coast Motorsports 50.736
13 4 Ernesto Viso (R) Caracas, Venezuela Minardi Team USA 50.800
14 11 Mario Moraes (R) Sao Paolo, Brazil Dale Coyne Racing 50.930

Notice that all 14 cars are within 1.1 seconds. Harumph!! Please have a look at the Champ Car website for all the latest news on the Sebring test! Spring Training at Laguna Seca is up next!

HIT IT!

JHS

FLEET FRANCK FLIES IN FLA

Times from Day 2 of Sebring open test (pos., driver name, team, lap time, mph, total laps for the two days):

1- Franck Montagny, #7 Forsythe/Pettit Racing, 50.209 seconds, 119.668 mph, 183 laps
2- Justin Wilson, #1 Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, 50.448 seconds, 119.101 mph, 200 laps
3- Graham Rahal, #2 Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, 50.474 seconds, 119.040 mph, 179 laps
4- Franck Perera, #24 Conquest Racing, 50.495 seconds, 118.990 mph, 150 laps
5- Oriol Servia, #22 PKV Racing, 50.505 seconds, 118.966 mph, 212 laps
6- Alex Taglianii, #21 PKV Racing, 50.594 seconds, 118.757 mph, 214 laps
7- Alex Figge, #29 Pacific Coast Motorsports, 50.707 seconds, 118.493 mph, 176 laps
8- Simon Pagenaud, #34 Conquest Racing, 50.792 seconds, 118.294 mph, 139 laps
9- Paul Tracy, #3 Forsythe/Pettit Racing, 50.892 seconds, 118.062 mph, 127 laps
10- Bruno Junqueira, #19 Dale Coyne Racing, 51.122 seconds, 117.531 mph, 171 laps
11- Ernesto Viso, #4 Minardi Team USA, 51.295 seconds, 117.134 mph, 143 laps
12- Enrique Bernoldi, #8 Rocketsports Racing, 51.313 seconds, 117.093 mph, 197 laps
13- Mario Moraes, #11 Dale Coyne Racing, 51.346 seconds, 117.018 mph, 180 laps
14- David Martinez, #28 Pacific Coast Motorsports, 51.432 seconds, 116.822 mph, 203 laps

I don't mean to downgrade the abilities of Messr's Bourdais or Montagny, but maybe the fastest man in the paddock these last years has been Kenny Sieweck... Montangny went one half second faster on Sunday than any car last year at the same test.

In other news, Pat Caporali returms to the series as Champ Car's new PR director, coming over from the Ganassi Grand Am program. Pat did the PR for Forsythe back in the Greg Moore/Patrick Carpentier days.
Another half day of testing on Monday in Sebring.

JHS

A CALL FOR MARSHALS

I am relaying this to you all from Bryan Gregory, our new F&C Chief of Houston:

Greetings fellow F&C Workers and Happy New Year,

On behalf of the F&C leadership team for the 2008 Grand Prix of Houston, it is my pleasure to invite you to participate in what promises to be a fun and exciting experience. We have been hard at work planning this year's race event, and I believe that some key changes that have been made for the benefit of all F&C workers will make this race one of the most desireable to attend as a worker. Key changes for this year include:

• A split shift schedule for Friday and Saturday which will shorten work (on station) time to 7 hours.
• A worker party on Saturday evening with a hot meal provided.
• Coffee, muffins, and donuts will be provided and available prior to the first corner worker meeting each morning.
• An official Grand Prix of Houston event patch will be provided to all F&C workers.
• Corner assignments will be published in advance of the event and captains will be encouraged to communicate via e-mail with team members.
• Free hotel rooms will be provided to travelers of 50 miles or more, but will be assigned double occupancy and allocated on a first-come first serve basis. Space will be limited.
  

The key to success of our event this year will be YOUR participation. We Need YOU! Please read the attached call to workers letter and worker application form. I want to recognize Sydney Davis for doing such a fantastic job of editing the letter and creating the application form. This year's event will afford you more flexibility and options than you have probably seen in the past. You have the choice to work during the ChampCar and supporting race groups, or the ALMS and supporting race groups, or both (if you want to work 14 hour days on Friday and Saturday which I do not recommend). You may also choose to work the ALMS events on Friday and Saturday and join the same corner team on Sunday for the ChampCar race groups, or work ALMS on Friday and Saturday only and do what you wish on Sunday. The free grand stand ticket for all three days that will be provided to you again this year can be used by you when you are 'off duty' or it can be given away to someone else.

You may register online if you wish at: http://www.dlbracing.com/clubs/champcar/workers.aspx?EventID=3117

Please be specific about your shift preference on page one of the application form by checking off your preference and providing written comments on the line provided. I need as many qualified/experienced captains and communicators as possible in order to adequately staff two shifts.

Finally, I want to make sure that everyone understands the experience prerequisite which is required to work F&C at the Grand Prix of Houston. A minimum race experience of two SCCA and/or PCA race weekends within the last calendar year is required. I am looking forward to this year's Grand Prix of Houston and to seeing all of you there! If you have any questions, please call me at (281) 415-6478.

Bryan Gregory
2008 GP of Houston Flag Chief

CARS ON COURSE!!!

Hi all:

Times from day 1 of Sebring open test (pos., driver name, team, lap time, mph):

1- Franck Montagny, Forsythe Pettit Racing, 50.788 seconds, 118.304 mph
2- Oriol Servia, PKV Racing, 50.856 seconds, 118.145 mph
3- Justin Wilson, Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, 50.927 seconds, 117.981 mph
4- Franck Perera, Conquest Racing, 50.986 seconds, 117.844 mph
5- Alex Figge, Pacific Coast Motorsports, 51.097 seconds, 117.588 mph
6- Graham Rahal, Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, 51.104 seconds, 117.572
7- Alex Tagliani, PKV Racing, 51.228 seconds, 117.287 mph
8- Bruno Junqueira, Dale Coyne Racing, 51.228 seconds, 117.287 mph
9- Mario Moraes, Dale Coyne Racing, 51.346 seconds, 117.018 mph
10- Paul Tracy, Forsythe Pettit Racing, 51.347 seconds, 117.016 mph
11- David Martinez, Pacific Coast Motorsports, 51.950 seconds, 115.657 mph
12- Ernesto Viso, Minardi Team USA, 51.973 seconds, 115.606 mph
13- Enrique Bernoldi, Rocketsports Racing, 52.019 seconds, 115.504 mph
14- Simon Pagenaud, Conquest Racing, 52.118 seconds, 115.285 mph

Snippets:

Well, 14 cars on track yesterday on the hot sunny Sebring Circuit. All teams are represented except Walker/Team Australia, which is still negotiating sponsorship. Only one Minardi Car here, but look for Robert Doornbos to re-sign soon to fill the other seat. If Walker can produce two cars we will be back to 17, and maybe we might see a third car from either PKV or Forsythe/Pettit.

Both Newman Haas Lanigan cars are in McDonald’s livery at this test.

One member of the press at the circuit feels: “Without a doubt the Champ Car series is in better shape this year than at the same time last year here at Sebring. There are more car/driver combinations that appear to be ready to go versus last year, the bugs are worked out of the Panoz now whereas last year at this time there were a number of issues that had to be resolved.”

Alex Figge came out strong and had the fastest time of the morning session.

Franck Montagny is a very talented ex-F1 and test driver who says he’s “tired of testing” and like many come over from EUR before him is impressed with the car and the atmosphere. Put him down as a solid winner this year as the Forsythe Team is ramping up their game this season, having also hired Team manager Kenny Sieweck away from Newman/Haas/Lanigan.

Conquest looks to be set to announce a sponsor for the season and will be running two cars for ATL runner up Perera (who is a pretty tough customer) and the 2006 ATL Champ Pagenaud. They will be running another young Frenchman in the ATL series with the interesting moniker of Sebastien Chardonnet. (Will he “wine” as well as his namesake? – Sorry, couldn’t help it!!)

Mario Moraes is a Brazilian who competed (finished 14^th) in British F3 last season.

Ernesto Viso, a Venezuelan, is not confirmed as yet for a full season at Minardi, but finished 6^th in the 2006 GP2 Series. Also did some F1 testing. Have a look at how his race went at Magny Cours last year here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkSr1rQ0W1g He looks ready to me to run with us over here!

Enrique Bernoldi drove for Arrows in F1 in 2001 and 2002, has a full season ride with Rocketsports this season with a solid sponsor, Sangari. More about that deal here:

http://www.champcarworldseries.com/News/Article.asp?ID=12503

More news as I get it. No word on a new Race director, but down at Sebring, Johnny Unser and Gary Barnard are in Race Control with Scot Elkins and Ziggy Harcus in the pitlane.

Away we go for 08… HIT IT!

JHS

HIT IT (...Tony, we hardly knew ye)

Very difficult and disappointing to accept in light of my last blog entry, but I got a call from Tony Cotman on Thursday telling me he was resigning his position as Race Director and Executive VP Operations at Champ Car.

I received this email from Steve Johnson, our President and CEO the next day:

To: All Champ Car Stakeholders

From: Steve Johnson

Re: Tony Cotman

I’m disappointed to inform you that Executive VP & Race Director Tony Cotman will be leaving Champ Car. He just informed me, the Board and Senior Management that he would not be with us this season, noting that soon after he returned from the winter break, after much introspection, he decided that it was time for him to move on to something new.

Certainly, we will miss Tony, as he has been a stellar Race Director and an important member of our management team. He has agreed to remain in his position for the time being to work on the transition and help us identify a replacement who will carry on the tradition of Champ Car racing that puts driver safety and fan entertainment first.

Tony has played a big role in enhancing our racing program, including helping us to successfully launch a new car in both the Champ Car World Series and Champ Car Atlantic Championship after he joined Champ Car in 2005. It’s clear to our sponsors and fans that Champ Car always puts racing first, as that’s the essence of our series and something that we certainly will maintain this season and beyond.

Tony truly has been a committed and passionate member of the Champ Car community for the past three seasons. No “goodbyes” just yet, however, as Tony will continue to work with us for the foreseeable future, but we wanted to let you know as soon as possible. We also will let you know soon who will be stepping in as Race Director to maintain our unique version of Grand Prix open-wheel racing, and how we will handle his management responsibilities.

Tony related to me some of his reasons, which are personal and private, and what Steve says above is certainly very accurate. Tony was also very adamant to tell me that based on what he knows (which is a hell of a lot more than you or I) and because of the strength of the product on the race track and the commitment of our owners, the Champ Car World Series will continue. Amen, and plenty of hard work ahead for all of us.

Paul "Ziggy" Harcus, TC's right hand man and fellow Kiwi will continue to carry the ball for us in our operations department. Ziggy knows all of the practices and procedures Tony has set up as they have worked very closely over the past three seasons. Right now, we do not have an experienced Race Director in RC, as Beaux Barfield was succeeded a few weeks ago by Johnny Unser as our Atlantic Race Director for 2008. As stated in Steve's email, Tony and our owners are working on a replacement.

Three quotes come to mind here.

The first is from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

"Our life is an apprenticeship to the truth, that around every circle another can be drawn; that there is no end in nature, but every end is a beginning; that there is always another dawn risen on mid-noon and under every deep a lower deep opens."

The second from the famous positive thinking philanthropist W. Clement Stone (who is Chris Kneifel's grandfather:)

"From every adversity comes the opportunity for a greater benefit."

And third:

Elwood : "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses."
Jake: "Hit it."

Please join me for the 2008 Champ Car World Series where we will indeed be hitting it.

JHS

HOLIDAY GREETINGS FROM TC

Hello everyone,

Although I missed the traditional Thanksgiving posting, Champ Car World Series Race Director Tony "Big Daddy TC" Cotman has asked that I post his Holiday and Season-Ending message to all of you.

(Don't bother sending him one as he's gonna spend a looooong time in the Carribean during the Holidays - he's been working haaaaaaard.)

As for me, my Pre-Chirstmas art production rush was finally over as of the 21st. Since getting home from Mexico City on the Tuesday after the race, I did a pit stop piece for CDW that they presented to the RuSPORT team, The Champ Car and Atlantic combined Holiday Card, print versions of that Champ Car art shipped out to all of our promoters world-wide (copies are available on my website www.jimswintal.com of course,) and a Holiday card for Pacific Coast Motorsports (which I guess is now my "home" Champ Car team as thay are located just up the coast form here in Oxnard.

I have a few more things queued up for the first part of January, trying to stave off the bleak midwinter work-wise. However, as of the Solstice on the 22nd, days are getting longer again by several seconds a day and soon to be minutes a day. Some people say that the nights are longer around now so we have more time to dream about our futures. God bless us All, Every One.

Lets get on to 2008!

Here's from TC:

To all our loyal supporters:

Another year goes by and way too quickly it seems. This year we witnessed some of the best racing we’ve seen in years. A large part of that reason was due to the inception of the new DP 01 chassis. We had rookies winning races, smaller teams often in the thick of things, some new venues but most of all exciting racing throughout the season. Ultimately Sebastien Bourdais came out on top once again, a testament to his talent, dedication and a great team. We wish him all the best in Formula One.

I’m sure you all have a favorite race but mine was Cleveland. Drivers who come from the back to win, whether through hard charging, brilliant strategy or some good luck, that’s what makes Champ Car racing so awesome. You may often be down but never out – race to the end!

We look forward to introducing some small changes for the 2008 season which will enhance our product for the fans. I hope each and every one of you enjoyed the race events this season whether you were able to attend or not. We at Champ Car once again thank you for continued support, dedication and loyalty to our series. As I’ve said many times before, without you all we could not continue to put on a show at such a high level. And how about a big “shout” out to the Clerk of the Course - Jim Swintal - for his leadership throughout the season.

I hope you enjoy the holiday season, your families and have an extra beer for me! I look forward to continued growth of the series and seeing you all again real soon.

Happy Holidays,

TC

Where's Jimmy?

Yes, I know it has been quite a while and also quite a season. Several people have really gotten on me for not updating like I promised I would. This is not an excuse, but this season, especially the 9 races in 13 weeks has been a real grind for me.

All of you out there have made it easier nonetheless, and I have a few entertaining stories to tell and people to thank from Portland to Assen. My summer art rush is quite over but I am working hard securing holiday orders. I spent most of my evenings in my hotel rooms in Cleveland, Mt. Tremblant, Toronto and Edmonton trying to get my latest litho "Lights Out" to market by San Jose.

Those of you interested can find it at http://www.jimswintal.com/ and it features our first standing start earlier this year at Portland. (When I get to it, that will be my first essay recounting the summer.) My website will not allow coupons, but for all of you reading, if you type "Lights Out" in the "comments" box on the payment page, I can REFUND $5.00 back to you off the $25 purchas price... a deal for the holidays?

After the cancellation of PHX (which in the long run should be a good thing due to the circumstances we were up against,) CCWS finds itself in another gloom and doom period. Yes, been there and done that, quite understandably. But I will tell you that Tony Cotman is an extremely creative and resourceful guy and I will give him one off-season period to "reboot" the way our office does things. He has shared with me plenty of thoughts and ideas for the 2009 let alone 2008 seasons and I can say that most of them are astounding... so let the doom and gloomers "blow" as my Mother used to say...

Eric Gagnon and I shall be doing an other installment of the "Overheard at the Track " podcast next week where we will be discussing some of these things. If you have not been listening thruought the season, shame on you! But you should be able to find them all here: http://www.overheardatthetrack.mypodcast.com/

Have a listen sometime if you have not heard them and re-live all the controversy and Bulls**t of the colorful 2007 season.

TTFN...

jhs

Nick Fornoro 1920-2007

Hello all:

My predecessor on the start stand, Nick Fornoro, passed away yesterday. I want to share with you my thoughts about Nick as I related to his daughter-in-law Anne in an email I sent to her earlier today:


Hi Anne, and please let me say I that I am really saddened for this huge loss to your family.

Please feel free to share this with them. I am sure you will be getting many emails, so please toss it on the pile, as Nick has so many people that love him.

I am attaching a scan of an item I just came across a few days ago in my storage files, and I'll fill you in on the story.

Several years after Nicky left the stand, we found ourselves down in Surfers Paradise in the middle of a long and rainy Friday morning practice session. Tom Michaels and Jim Murphy of the Champ Car Radio Network felt things were a little slow and that they had to needle me a little. Their broadcast booth was very close to the track and about halfway through the session, this sign as well as a few others calling for my ouster showed up in their window and we all had a good laugh over it.

I don't know when Nicky lapsed into his coma, but I happened across this sign sometime while he was in it. It is amazing timing that I would find it now after so many years, maybe about ten, since I had seen it last.

I find that every significant person in my life that has passed away somehow leaves me some sort of "message" or sign that they are just fine where they currently are, usually in some sort of amusing way. I also believe everyone who leaves this world does, and continues to do so, just so long as you look carefully and leave yourself open to the beauty of the possibility. So please share with your family that this was Nicky's way with me and I am so pleased that he did. They in turn should all look for something from him in some way as well.

I realize Nicky was still here when I found this, but it just points out how large and how powerful a soul he possessed. He could do amazing things, and this is just one more. Frankly, if he felt he had to leave signs for all that cared about him, then he needed to get going on it early, as it would be a huge task!

I can assure you that though he had been away from the series for a while, we still bring him up and talk about him, whenever something reminded us about something he did, or the type of person he was. Just last race in Holland, someone asked about the start stand, and I spent a few minutes recounting what it was like to do a race with Nick, and all the interesting and entertaining phrases and mannerisms he used to get through a race. He was a master storyteller and observer of human nature. He took needling and happily gave it back. Those of us in the series that knew him and worked alongside him learned quite a bit about how to get along with each other and our own selves.

Thank you and God Bless you and your family for sharing him with us. In the few brief times I met you all, you demonstrated you are obviously a family that loves, cares, and looks after each other. To live on in the way Nicky demonstrated for all of us will be his greatest legacy.

Please take care,

Jim Swintal

OVERHEARD IN PORTLAND

The second podcast of the season with Eric Gagnon is up on his site. You can find us at:

http://www.overheardatthetrack.mypodcast.com/

Hope to write down some more Portland thoughts later this week!

JHS